Growth and production of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in the lowland on various types of mulch

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of mulch treatment on the growth and production of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in the lowlands. The research was conducted in Lempong Village, Bola District, Wajo Regency located 78 m above sea level (asl) with an average temperature of 24ºC - 33ºC. This research was set using a Split Plot Design (SPD) with garlic varieties set as the main plots consisting of highland (var. Lumbu Hijau) and lowland varieties (var. Lumbu Putih) while mulch types were set as subplots consisting of control (no mulch), black silver plastic mulch, rice straw mulch, Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) leaves mulch, and banana leaves mixed with stem mulch. Each treatment combination was repeated 3 times. The results show that the Lumbu Putih variety had better growth and production than the Lumbu Hijau on the parameters of plant height, number of leaves, and number cloves per tuber. Straw mulch showed the best effect in suppressing soil temperature (28.5ºC). Banana leaves and stem mulch was the best type of mulch compared to control and other mulches on parameters of plant height, number of leaves, and number of cloves per tuber. The interaction between the Lumbu Putih variety and banana leaf and stem mulch produced the highest production per hectare (1.6 ton ha−1).